The Broncos are molding Audric Estime in the image of Jerome Bettis.

Count up the similarities. Estime and Bettis both starred in college at Notre Dame. They share similar body types, too, with powerful stocky frames capable of bulldozing defenders. It earned Bettis a popular nickname: The Bus.

What about Estime?

“I call Audric the minibus,” defensive tackle Malcolm Roach said. “He runs like Jerome Bettis, and he went to Notre Dame. … He’s a tough runner. He’s trying to put pads on somebody every time he’s getting to the line.”

Of course, Bettis is a Pro Football Hall of Famer who played 13 seasons almost entirely in Pittsburgh with 13,662 career rushing yards and 91 touchdowns. Estime expects to play in his second NFL game Sunday with the Steelers visiting Empower Field. He keeps a visual reminder for his mentality in the backfield.

“Last week, in Audric’s locker, there was a picture of Barry Sanders to the left and then Jerome Bettis to the right,” coach Sean Payton said. “Barry Sanders had the Ghostbusters circle and red line through it. You have to know what kind of runner you’re going to be in this league.”

It didn’t take long for Estime to need that lesson.

The 5-foot-11 and 227-pound running back made his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Seahawks. On his first carry of the game to begin the second quarter, Estime burst 12 yards downfield and tried hurdling a Seattle defender. It didn’t work.

Seahawks safety Julian Love punched the football out, and luckily for Estime, it was recovered by tight end Adam Trautman. Estime still landed in the doghouse. He played in only 3-of-69 offensive snaps the entire game and rushed twice for 14 yards.

“I didn’t see many times where Bettis was leaping over people,” Payton said.

It’s possible that Estime gets a longer leash in Week 2 against Pittsburgh. Running backs Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin combined to average just 2.8 yards per carry in the Seahawks loss, and it contributed to rookie Bo Nix attempting 42 passes in his NFL debut.

Estime has a fan in Bettis.

Last fall, the former NFL running back called Estime a “stud” during a TV interview with a South Bend, Ind., station covering Notre Dame. Bettis told ABC57: “He’s a big back who runs physical and downhill. He puts pressure on the defense.”

In November, during a national sports radio interview, Estime responded to Bettis with appreciation. The minibus is just getting warmed up.

“He’s a great guy. He’s always around (Notre Dame),” Estime told Jim Rome about Bettis. “It’s an honor to see how highly he thinks about me. He’s one of the best to ever do it.”